Warning device for monitoring a health status of a bearing having a close range wireless interface

ABSTRACT

A warning device having a close range wireless interface is provided. The warning device includes a body portion, top portion, a base portion, a microcontroller for controlling the device, a battery, at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a velocity, an enveloped acceleration and a temperature reading of the bearing, and at least one illuminating device for displaying the health status of the bearing. The close range wireless interface includes an RFID tag having an integrated circuit, and a radio, an antenna for receiving and transmitting modulated and demodulated signals, and a digital bus connecting the microcontroller to the RFID tag. The microcontroller stores at least one of the sensed velocity, enveloped acceleration and the temperature values into a memory disposed within the RFID tag. The memory is a dual access memory that enables data transfer via the RFID radio or via the digital bus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation in Part Application claiming thebenefit of priority to International Patent Application No.PCT/US2012/67293 filed on Nov. 30, 2012, which claims the benefit ofpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/577,884, filed onDec. 20, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a device for monitoring ahealth status of a bearing mounted to a piece of rotating industrialmachinery. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to awarning device permanently mounted to a piece of rotating industrialmachinery having a close range wireless interface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a simple, low cost way to monitor thestatus of a bearings health in a piece of rotating industrial equipment.Historically simple transmitter based systems have been employed onindustrial machinery for overall machine health and detection of bearingdegradation. These devices measure continuously and can be connected toexisting control systems (PLC or DCS). The simplest approach is a 420 VTVibration Transmitter. This loop-powered device measures Velocity (andcan include Temperature) and has an End-User price of about $ 400.00.Also, a major consideration is the installation cost, especially forcabling. The present invention provides a low cost battery powereddevice that includes a close range wireless interface or RFID interface.One that is packaged into a compact unit and requires no setup orconfiguration. Since the Wireless interface requires no configurationand adds little cost the added value is significant. The MCI can now beintegrated into a mobile data collection program. The customer getsround the clock monitoring of machinery and can retrieve the currentmachine status and data whenever an operator visits the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The basic inventive concept provides a warning device for monitoring ahealth status of a bearing mounted to a piece of rotating machinery inan industrial environment having a close range wireless interface, thewarning device comprising:

-   -   a body portion connected to a top portion and a base portion, a        microcontroller for controlling the device, a battery for        powering the device, at least one sensor for sensing at least        one of a velocity, an enveloped acceleration and a temperature        reading of the bearing, and at least one illuminating device for        displaying the health status of the bearing according to input        from one of the at least one sensors; the close range wireless        interface including:    -   an RFID tag having an integrated circuit for storing and        processing information, and a radio for modulating and        demodulating a radio-frequency signal,    -   an antenna for receiving and transmitting the modulated and        demodulated signal, and connected to the RFID tag, and    -   a digital bus connecting the microcontroller to the RFID tag,        wherein    -   the microcontroller stores at least one of the sensed velocity,        enveloped acceleration and the temperature values into a memory        disposed within the RFID tag, and wherein    -   the memory is a dual access memory that enables data transfer        via the RFID radio or via the digital bus.

In a second aspect of the present invention the RFID tag provides anon-volatile memory that stores the tag's information.

In a third aspect of the present invention the RFID tag storesproduct-related information such as a production date.

In another aspect of the present invention the RFID tag stores a uniquetag serial number.

In another aspect of the present invention the RFID tag stores a machineor asset name.

In another aspect of the present invention the RFID tag stores adescription.

In another aspect of the present invention the RFID tag stores a status.Offline spare, online, operational status

In another aspect of the present invention the RFID tag stores ameasurement history.

In another aspect of the present invention the RFID tag further storesthe unique tags location.

In another aspect of the present invention the antenna is disposedwithin the top portion.

In another aspect of the present invention the battery provides power tothe RFID device for at least 3 years of normal operation with a singlealarm detection.

In another aspect of the present invention the device provides a flexcircuit built into the RFID antenna, the flex circuit connecting theantenna to the RFID tag.

In another aspect of the present invention the RFID antenna furtherincludes a coil inductor mounted on a PCB, the inductor coil connectingthe antenna to the RFID tag.

In another aspect of the present invention the RFID antenna has tunedloops of copper wire, the tuned loops of wire connecting the antenna tothe RFID tag.

In another aspect of the present invention the access to the RFID tag ispassword protected.

In a final aspect of the present invention the at least one illuminatingdevice further provides three light emitting diodes disposed within thetop portion for manually displaying the health status of the bearing.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understoodand appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to thefollowing written specification, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a warning device according toa preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom side view of the warning device of FIG. 1, accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the warning device of FIG. 1 with thebody removed, according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view in perspective of the warningdevice of FIG. 1 with the body removed, according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of an inner bearing raceway having 3^(rd) orderdefects; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an industrial environment showingmultiple pieces of machinery configured with the warning device of FIG.1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the warning device of FIG. 1 with thebody removed, showing an antennae and RFID Tag according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a flexible antenna circuit according toproffered embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the warning device of FIG. 1 with thebody removed, showing an antennae and RFID Tag according to anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the warning device of FIG. 1 with thebody removed, showing an antennae and RFID Tag according to anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments or the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure andare not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is definedby the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,”“rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to beunderstood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in theattached drawings, and described in the following specification, aresimply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in theappended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physicalcharacteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not tobe considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

A warning device 10 for monitoring a health status of a bearing isillustrated in FIG. 1. The warning device is normally mounted to a pieceof rotating industrial machinery 400 that is disposed in a manufacturingor operating environment 500. See FIG. 6 illustrating the warning devicemounted to the machinery in the industrial environment. Typicalapplications for the warning device include motors, fans, conveyors andpumps.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the warning device provides a generallycylindrical body portion 20 that is connected to an annular top portion30. The annular top portion 30 includes at least one tri-color lightemitting diode 70 (herein referred to as “LED”) for displaying thehealth status of the bearing. The at least one tri-color LED is mountedon an upper top surface 120 of the annular top portion 30 of the warningdevice for maximum visibility to a user. Referring to FIG. 3, the atleast one tri-color LED may further provide three translucent lightemitting diodes (70) assembled in parallel on an upper top surface (120)of the device.

Depending on the voltage applied to the at least one tri-color LED 70,the LED may be configured to illuminate any one of red, green ortranslucent. Normally, the at least one tri-color LED functions toilluminate red or green. However, the LED used in the present inventionis configured to illuminate translucent as well. In this case, the LEDis energized to illuminate both red and green. The net affect ofilluminating both red and green simultaneously, creates an amberillumination. The need for providing the three different colors will bedisclosed in ensuing paragraphs. In an alternate embodiment, the atleast one tri-color light emitting diode 70 may provide three lightemitting diodes 70. The three light emitting diodes may be configured toilluminate red, green or translucent as well.

The warning device further provides at least one sensor 60 that sensesat least one of a velocity, an enveloped acceleration and a temperaturevalue of the bearing. Here, the at least one sensor 60 is mounted to aPrinted Circuit Board 100 (PCB) (see FIG. 4), which is in turn pottedinside the body 20 and base portion 40. One type of sensor employed maybe a piezo-electric element that provides an acceleration signal, whichis then processed to deliver the velocity and enveloped accelerationoverall.

Consequently, the health status of the bearing is determined by inputand feedback from one of the at least one sensors 60. The velocityrelates to the whole machine which includes the shaft, bearing,coupling, footing, etc. The enveloped acceleration is designed toaccentuate the bearing signal, but can pick up gear mesh too.Temperature is the bearing housing temp which relates to lubricanttemperature, bearing temperature, and the fluid in a pump.

When a sensor senses a change in velocity or acceleration or temperatureit sets off an alarm. In an alternate embodiment, the at least onesensor 60 may provide two temperature sensors 60 and an envelopedacceleration sensor (accelerometer) 115 for providing feedback. Velocityis calculated via the accelerometer 115. A range in velocity of 10-1000KHz is within a normal sensing range. A range in machine rotationalspeed of 900-3600 rpm and maximum enveloped acceleration is 30 gE iswithin one of the at least one sensors 115 range.

The PCB as shown in FIG. 3 may include a band pass filter 200 to filterthe signal and to eliminate low frequency structural machineryvibrations signals developed in the operating environment. The PCB mayfurther include a demodulator (250) to demodulate and enhance thefrequency content at a bearing defect frequency. Consequently, the bandpass filter and demodulator act to improve the frequency response of theat least one acceleration sensor 115. Additionally, aprocessor/microcontroller 275 is provided for controlling the functionof the device. The microcontroller 275 is a small computer on a singleintegrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmableinput/output peripherals (not shown).

FIG. 4 shows the device having multiple temperature sensors 60. Thewarning device has at least one thermally conductive circuit board trace110 that is integrally disposed within the mounting pad 90. The trace110 is designed to conduct heat from the mounting pad 90 to one of theat least one sensors 60. This is one way the device obtains temperaturefeedback from a sensor.

Referring now to all the Figures, the warning device 10 also includes abase portion 40 that is connected to the body 20. The base portion 40provides a mounting pad 90 that is integral to the base portion 40. Thebase portion 40 is used to mount the warning device 10 to the piece ofrotating industrial machinery 400. The mounting pad 90 has a generallyflat surface 140 for mounting to the machinery 400. The mounting pad(90) is hexagonal in shape and has at least two flat surfaces (130) fortightening the warning device with a tool (not shown).

The mounting pad 90 also has a threaded through hole 150 that allows abolt (not shown) to be threaded into. Typically, the bolt runs upthrough a clearance hole drilled in the machinery 400 and into thethreaded through hole 150, thus securing the device 10. It should benoted that there are many other potential configurations for mountingthe warning device that can be contemplated by one skilled in the art.For example, the warning device could be fixedly epoxied to the rotatingmachinery.

The warning device 10 further includes a battery 50 for powering thedevice 10. The battery can be a lithium battery rated for long life.Lithium batteries are disposable (primary) batteries that have lithiummetal or lithium compounds as an anode. The battery is usually sealed inepoxy. As such, battery replacement is not possible. The battery (50)provides power to the device 10 for at least 3 years of normaloperation. This is conditional on the device seeing a single alarmdetection. Battery life decreases proportionally with the number ofalarm detections. Consequently, one can expect two years of life withtwo alarm detections and one year of life after three alarm detections.The warning device must be manually reset after it detects an alarmcondition. Therefore, if battery life permits, the warning device can bereset up to three times before replacement is required.

The warning device 10 is synchronized to a magnetic coded key (80). Oneof the at least one tri-color LED's blinks red for 10 seconds after themagnetic key is read. When the magnetic coded key 80 is applied next tothe device 10 the device becomes activated. After the magnetic key isapplied 80, the device 10 initiates a self check mode to verify itsproper function. In operation, one of the at least one tri-color LED's70 illuminates green when the device 10 passes its self check mode.Alternately, one of the at least one LED's 70 illuminates amber when thedevice fails its self check mode.

The device 10 is programmed to wake up a predetermined number of timesover a 24 hour period in order to check if the industrial machine is inoperation. Normally, the device wakes up 8 times per day, but this canbe changed to meet a customers requirements. After waking up, at leastone sensor evaluation of at least one of the velocity and envelopedacceleration and current temperature level of the industrial rotatingmachine is initiated. When the machine evaluation meets a minimumthreshold, the device goes into an alarm mode. Further, one of the atleast one tri-color light emitting diodes illuminates red after thealarm mode is verified.

Alternately, when the machine evaluation does not meet a minimumthreshold after waking up and the sensor evaluation is initiated, thedevice goes back into a sleep mode to conserve power. The device wakesup a more frequent predetermined number of times after an alarmcondition is verified. As such, one of the at least one tri-color lightemitting diodes blinks red for one week after an alarm condition isverified.

A stage 3 bearing defect is illustrated in FIG. 5. The warning device ofthe present invention can detect a stage 3 bearing defect 150 prior to acatastrophic failure. FIG. 5 shows a bearing raceway 190 having an innersurface 180 and stage 3 sidebanding defects 170. In the third stage offailure, bearing defect frequency levels increase and their harmonicsappear on the spectrum. As wear progresses, sidebanding increases aroundthe defect frequencies and can be seen more clearly as raised levels andharmonics in the mounted resonance area.

FIG. 6 illustrates an operator 600 pointing an inspection device 550 ata bar code disposed 300 that is disposed on the warning device in theoperating environment 500. The inspection device 550 having a bar codereader that is able to scan the bar code 300 at a series check pointsC₁, C₂, C₃ and C₄. The check points C₁-C₄ may further provide of aplurality of check points C_(n) on a predetermined route 375 and the barcode 300 is one of a plurality of bar codes 300 on a plurality ofwarning devices 10 to be inspected. By making the operator conduct theinspection and record the status of each device, an operator drivenreliability that proves the plurality of warning devices have beenchecked by the operator is generated.

Fixed readers are set up to create a specific interrogation zone whichcan be tightly controlled. This allows a highly defined reading area forwhen tags go in and out of the interrogation zone. Mobile readers may behand-held or mounted on carts or vehicles.

Detailed Description of Embodiment Having a Close Range WirelessInterface

A warning device 1000 for monitoring a health status of a bearingmounted to a piece of rotating machinery 400 in an industrialenvironment 500 having a close range wireless interface 1050 isillustrated in FIG. 7. The warning device 1000 of this embodiment is thesame as that of the prior embodiment 10 except for the introduction ofthe close range wireless interface 1050.

As previously disclosed, the warning device 10 includes a body portion20 that is connected to a top portion 30 and a base portion 40. Abattery 50 for powering the device is also included. Here, the battery50 provides power to the RFID device 1000 for at least 3 years of normaloperation with a single alarm detection. In addition, at least onesensor 60 and/or accelerometer 115 for sensing at least one of avelocity, an enveloped acceleration and a temperature reading of thebearing is provided. At least one illuminating device 70 for displayingthe health status of the bearing according to input from one of the atleast one sensors is further provided.

The close range wireless interface 1050 includes an RFID tag 1052 and anantenna 1054 mounted to a PCB 1075. The RFID tag 1052 has an integratedcircuit 1055 for storing and processing information, and a radio 1056for modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency signal. The antenna1054 is connected to the RFID tag 1052 through the PCB and is configuredfor receiving and transmitting the modulated and demodulated signals. Abus connects the microcontroller 275 to the RFID tag 1052.

Here, the microcontroller 275 stores at least one of the sensedvelocity, enveloped acceleration and the temperature values into amemory 1058 that is disposed within the integrated circuit 1055 of theRFID tag 1052. The memory 1058 is a dual access memory that enables datatransfer via the RFID radio 1056 or via the high speed serial bus 1059.The at least one sensor value reading could be copied to the RFID tag'smemory when a reading is initiated, previously taken or only when analarm is detected. The microcontroller 275 also includes a memory thathas the capability to concurrently store sensor value readings. As such,the sensor values are copied into the memory 1058 by the microcontroller275 on the completion of any measurement taken or after the logging ofan alarm event.

Here, the RFID memory 1058 may be a non-volatile memory that is used tostore specific information regarding the RFID tag. The storedinformation in memory can alternately be password protected if sodesired. As such, the RFID tag can store product-related informationsuch as:

-   -   a production date;    -   a unique tag serial number;    -   a machine or asset name;    -   a description;    -   a status;    -   a measurement history; and/or    -   a unique tags location.

Referring to the embodiment of the warning device illustrated in FIGS.7-8, the antenna 1054 is disposed within the top portion 30 of thewarning device. As can be seen, the antenna 1054 is built into aflexible circuit 1054 which allows the antenna to be mountedhorizontally but flexed 90 degrees mount to the PCB 1075. Therefore, theantenna can be connected to the RFID tag 1052 through a bus which isintegrally mounted to the PCB 1075.

Here, the flexible antenna circuit 1054 is separated into two portions,a cylindrical portion 1010 and a lead portion 1020. The cylindricalportion 1010 includes three through holes 1032 that provide clearancefor the LED's 70 on assembly. The cylindrical portion further includesat least one coil of copper wire 1034 which is disposed within theflexible antenna circuit 1054. The at least two coils of copper wire1034 are typically tuned loops of copper wire 1034 and are used toreceive and transmit the modulated and demodulated signals. Theconfiguration shown in FIG. 8 provides four coils of copper wire 1034.

The lead portion 1020 of the flexible circuit 1030 provides a first leadwire 1040 and a second lead wire 1042 that connect to the bent ends1038, 1039 of the at least one coil of copper wire 1034. The first leadwire 1040 terminates at a first stake 1044 and the second lead wire 1042terminates at a second stake 1046 through capacitor 1048. The capacitor1048 completes the LC circuit required to function as an antenna.

Now referring to the embodiment of warning device 1200 that isillustrated in FIG. 9, everything is the same with respect to theprevious embodiment 1000 except antenna 1254 includes at least two tunedcoiled loops of copper wire 1234 that lay on top of the top portion 30.Here, the ends of the copper wire are terminated to solid leads 1240,1242, which in turn get staked into PBC 1275. Here again, the antenna isconfigured for receiving and transmitting the modulated and demodulatedsignals. A bus connects the antenna to the RFID tag 1052 and on to themicroprocessor 275. A digital bus is employed in the current embodiment,but there are other types of buses that could be utilized to accomplishthis function. For example, a high speed serial bus could be provided.

Now referring to the embodiment of warning device 1300 that isillustrated in FIG. 10, everything is the same with respect to theprevious embodiment 1000 except antenna 1354 includes a coiled inductordirectly mounted on PCB 1375. Here again, the antenna 1354 is configuredfor receiving and transmitting the modulated and demodulated signals. Adigital bus connects the antenna 1354 to the RFID tag 1052 and on to themicroprocessor 275.

A method 1500 of monitoring algorithm parameters in any one of thepreviously described embodiments of the warning device 1000, 1200 and1300 having the close range wireless interface will now be disclosed.The method steps 1500 are illustrated in FIG. 11. Method 1500 includesproviding the RFID tag having the integrated circuit with memory forstoring and processing information, and the radio for modulating anddemodulating radio-frequency signals. Also provided is an antenna forreceiving and transmitting the modulated and demodulated radio-frequencysignals. The antenna is electrically connected to the RFID tag throughthe digital bus which further connects the microcontroller to the RFIDtag.

As shown in step 1520, the monitoring algorithm parameters aredownloaded from a portable read/write device shown in step 1510. Theportable read/write device could be for example, a Microlog InspectorCMDM 6600 configured with an RFID attachment, manufactured by SKF. Whenthe portable read/write device initiates a write operation, the antennareceives the new parameters and transmits them into the memory disposedwithin the RFID tag. In step 1530, the microcontroller 275 accesses thenewly stored parameters stored within the RFID tag's memory over thedigital or high speed serial bus. The alarm and monitoring algorithmparameters are then adapted in step 1540 according to the newly accessedparameters. So, alarm levels like time, temperature, velocity andenveloped acceleration can be adjusted by simply initiating contactbetween the read/write device and the close range RFID interfacedisposed within the warning device.

Method 1600 of the present invention additionally contemplates readingat least one stored sensor value from a warning device for monitoring ahealth status of a bearing having a close range wireless interface. Aspreviously disclosed in Method 1500, Method 1600 also includes providingthe RFID tag having the integrated circuit with memory for storing andprocessing information, and the radio for modulating and demodulatingradio-frequency signals. Also provided is an antenna for receiving andtransmitting the modulated and demodulated radio-frequency signals. Theantenna is connected to the RFID tag through the digital or high speedserial bus which further connects the microcontroller to the RFID tag.

When the portable read/write device initiates a read operation as shownin FIG. 12, the antenna receives a signal to initiate the uploading ofat least one sensor value measurement or parameter. In step 1620, themethod optionally provides for uploading parameters from memory. Here,the function of method 1600 is reversed from that of method 1500 andparameters may uploaded into the read/write device rather thandownloaded. This enables a user to observe the preprogrammed alarm andmonitoring algorithm parameters. The user may just collect this data forfuture reference or use it to help make decisions to reprogram thecurrent warning device.

In step 1630, the RFID tag then initiates the uploading of the at leastone stored sensor value from the memory through the radio and antennainto the reads/write device. Here, the at least one sensor value readingmay be one of a velocity, enveloped acceleration and a temperature ofthe bearing disposed within the piece of rotating industrial equipment.Further, the at least one sensor value reading could be a time waveformor an FFT.

Therefore, the dual memory disposed within the RFID tag enables datatransfer via the RFID radio or via the digital bus. This capabilityallows the warning device to function as both a reading and/or writingdevice.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A warning device for monitoring a healthstatus of a bearing mounted to a piece of rotating machinery in anindustrial environment, the warning device comprising: a housing havinga body portion connected to a top portion and a base portion; amicrocontroller for controlling the device; a battery for powering thedevice; at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a velocity, anenveloped acceleration and a temperature reading of the bearing; threelight emitting diodes mounted to the housing and configured to display ahealth status of the bearing according to input from one of the at leastone sensor; and a close range wireless interface including: an RFID taghaving an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, anda radio for modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency signal, anantenna for receiving and transmitting the modulated and demodulatedsignal, and connected to the RFID tag, and a digital bus connecting themicrocontroller to the RFID tag, wherein the microcontroller stores atleast one of the sensed velocity, enveloped acceleration and thetemperature values into a memory disposed within the RFID tag, andwherein the memory is a dual access memory that enables data transfervia the RFID radio or via the digital bus.
 2. The warning device formonitoring a health status of a bearing according to claim 1, whereinthe RFID tag further comprises a non-volatile memory that stores theRFID tag's information.
 3. The warning device for monitoring a healthstatus of a bearing according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag stores aproduction date.
 4. The warning device for monitoring a health status ofa bearing according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag stores a unique tagserial number.
 5. The warning device for monitoring a health status of abearing according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag stores a machine orasset name.
 6. The warning device for monitoring a health status of abearing according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag stores a description.7. The warning device for monitoring a health status of a bearingaccording to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag stores a status.
 8. Thewarning device for monitoring a health status of a bearing according toclaim 1, wherein the RFID tag stores a measurement history.
 9. Thewarning device for monitoring a health status of a bearing according toclaim 6, wherein the RFID tag further stores the unique tags location.10. The warning device for monitoring a health status of a bearingaccording to claim 1, wherein the antenna is disposed within the topportion.
 11. The warning device for monitoring a health status of abearing according to claim 1, wherein the battery provides power to theRFID device for at least 3 years of normal operation with a single alarmdetection.
 12. The warning device for monitoring a health status of abearing according to claim 1, further comprising a flex circuit builtinto the RFID antenna, the flex circuit connecting the antenna to theRFID tag.
 13. The warning device for monitoring a health status of abearing according to claim 1, wherein the RFID antenna further comprisesa coil inductor mounted on a PCB, the inductor coil connecting theantenna to the RFID tag.
 14. The warning device for monitoring a healthstatus of a bearing according to claim 1, wherein the RFID antennafurther comprises tuned loops of copper wire, the tuned loops of wireconnecting the antenna to the RFID tag.
 15. The warning device formonitoring a health status of a bearing according to claim 1, whereinaccess to the RFID tag is password protected.
 16. The warning device formonitoring a health status of a bearing according to claim 1, whereinthe digital bus is a high speed serial bus.
 17. The warning device formonitoring a health status of a bearing according to claim 1, whereinthe warning device is remotely activated using a magnetic coded key. 18.The warning device for monitoring a health status of a bearing accordingto claim 1, wherein the microcontroller, the battery, the at least onesensor, and the close range wireless interface are contained within thehousing.